Montgomery City Council Approves $15 Million to Help Keep Jackson Hospital Open
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) — The Montgomery City Council voted Tuesday night to approve $15 million in funding to help keep Jackson Hospital open amid growing financial troubles.
The city’s contribution is part of a larger $50 million rescue package. Montgomery County is expected to contribute $10 million, while the state would provide $25 million.
All of the funds must be committed by the end of the month to ensure the hospital can continue making payroll, city leaders said.
District 8 City Councilman Glen Pruitt said Jackson Hospital serves patients and employs workers from across the River Region, not just Montgomery.
“When Jackson came to us about six months ago, they had broken down the number of patients from Prattville, Millbrook, Greenville, Wetumpka,” Pruitt said. “They had broken down which employees were in different counties. This is not all on the backs of taxpayers in Montgomery. This should be a River Region issue, and the people in surrounding areas need to know that. If they close, people who live in Prattville or Millbrook are in trouble. They’re going to have to go to Birmingham or Mobile. We can’t lose Jackson Hospital.”
City officials said they will encourage other counties in the region to contribute funding as well.
In addition to the immediate aid, the hospital is expected to need roughly $100 million in infrastructure improvements to upgrade facilities including the neonatal intensive care unit, trauma center, and cancer center.
